structural development

Team "Just do it!" wins the 1st Innovation Challenge  

Hello!

It was great! The 1st Innovation Challenge Lausitz was a complete success. Not only say we as organizers, but also numerous participants and external guests. The jury, who had traveled from afar, was also enthusiastic, but more on that later. First and foremost Jörg Huntemann , head of the department for structural development in the Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development :

“I am enthusiastic about the many innovative solutions and ideas that the teams have come up with. Structural change thrives on the participation of people and their ideas, which is why we also rely on local people being involved! The 1st Innovation Challenge Lausitz made a really successful contribution to this. My sincere thanks to all participants and the ENO team for this great event." And we thank you for your expert questions and reviews!".

"Young people. Exciting tasks. Great jury. Future spirit today in Weisswasser. What our innovation team has achieved here at SKZ TELUX is really impressive!" – not only ENO Managing Director Sven Mimus found that out.

Curiosity and a spirit of optimism were palpable not only in TELUX, but throughout Weisswasser: the teams also went "out into the field", researched and interviewed the citizens about their ideas for jointly shaping the future

also dr Marc Roman Franke , internationally active consultant of the Boston Consulting Group , joined the compliments: "I was very impressed by the energy and creativity of the participants and keep my fingers crossed for the project implementation in this really scenic region around the architecturally fantastic city of Görlitz .". Tim Berndt from the Lausitz business initiative came from Cottbus. He also found it remarkable "what creative - sometimes borderline ingenious - solutions the teams developed for the very different challenges in a short time. You could feel the motivation and confidence of the participants to master even complex challenges. This attitude is for a successful Structural change in Lusatia indispensable. Many thanks to Saskia Brosius and the ENO team for the great organization.".

Jörg Huntemann brought his daughter, Dr. Franke came to Weisswasser for the first time with a huge portion of curiosity - despite the good mood, the teams had to face the tough questions of the pros. All teams passed with flying colors!

Theresa Hoffmann , investor (like Dr. Franke, who is our private guest out of love for Upper Lusatia) commented: "In this great location, the TELUX , we immediately felt the spirit of optimism, that certain tingling in the air that you only feel when a lot of energy and a lot of creativity come together. We were also partly impressed by the solutions that the teams presented," explains Theresa Hoffmann, whose day-to-day business is also impressive: she looks after the development of air taxi companies, among other things.

After the presentations of the seven teams, the jury did not have an easy session; she had to discuss her decision well, things were getting heated. After 20 minutes, Saskia Brosius and Wilhelmine Buscha from the innovation team showed no mercy - no more discussion - the decisions had to be made. The jury, who understood each other so well personally and professionally, was almost sad that the Inno-Challenge adventure should be over for them so quickly. Without further ado, they all offered to be part of the 2nd Innovation Challenge at the end of October.

The winning team - this is how civic participation is fun - for young and old

The team "Just do it!" developing a long-term public participation process for projects such as an international sports academy in Weißwasser pitch of their idea. "The decision to choose this team for first place wasn't that difficult." Marc Roman Franke. Innovation team member Clara Hartung , who coached the team, was surprised when she was suddenly asked to come on stage with the winning team. "All teams went through an intensive process and the results reflect this. I'm happy for the 'Einfach malmachen!' team that they were able to convince the jury with their concept," she explains later.

After field research at the weekly market in Weißwasser, the group developed the slightly exaggerated version of a resident named "Peter". In design thinking, a prototypical customer is called a "persona". It helps to empathize more easily with the circumstances of the potential user of the idea and represents the living environment of the target group. Including all their needs and problems. Peter is not optimistic about the future. He is not particularly convinced of new projects, but has nothing against new attempts to change something. Sentences like "I can't change anything on my own anyway" and "that won't work anyway" are also used during the presentation. With the playful public participation, however, he notices that processes also progress through his own participation and that it offers him added value.

The solution presented by the team "Just do it!" was under the motto: "Collect points and get prizes". This means that those who take advantage of the city's participation offers receive points that can later be exchanged for prizes such as restaurant vouchers or ice hockey tickets. Clever thought! The point system should be introduced analogously, but also integrated into the "Living White Water" app. Mayor Torsten Pötzsch and City Council member Dirk Rohrbach now want to support the implementation of the idea and plan to invite the winning team to one of the next city council meetings should present their concept there again.

Kristian Metzger , jury member, computer game inventor and CEO of Stratosphere Games from Berlin, explained that he values ​​the principle of "gamification" in the e-learning sector and predicts a great future for it. "People have an instinct to play, and if curiosity and interest in participating are stimulated in a playful way and then rewarded, I see great potential, also national, in this type of citizen participation. Hats off to the "Just do it!" team.

Saskia Brosius and Wilhelmine Buscha sum up after the event: “The format and the results are a success for us and we are confident that we will continue to improve organization and results at the 2nd Innovation Challenge Lausitz in autumn. There is still room for improvement, especially when it comes to recruiting participants. We very much hope that even more citizens will participate in the next serve and that exciting challenges will be submitted again.".

on 2nd and 3rd place, the other solutions and even the first challenge for the 2nd Innovation Challenge Lausitz from October 26th to 28th, 2023 in the next blog here! You will also read how and why jury members Jörg Huntemann from the SMR and Tim Berndt from the WiL were enthusiastic - they too, like the others (and actually everyone who took part), definitely want to be there again in October! You too? Sign up!

Best regards -

Your Jasna